Thursday, March 11, 2010

Sonia Pierre of the Dominican Republic, Shadi Sadr of Iran and Jestina Mukoko of Zimbabwe received the prestigious award that recognizes the work of courageous women who actively advocate for social justice, equality and human rights around the world. Amnesty International congratulates them and all of the other awardees and welcomes the Secretary of State's leadership role and continuous support for women's rights....

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Amnesty International Public Statement

March 10, 2010Human Rights Defenders Receive the International Women of Courage Award

Three women, whose courageous efforts to defend human rights were highlighted by Amnesty International, were honored today by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the annual International Women of Courage Award Ceremony.

Sonia Pierre of the Dominican Republic, Shadi Sadr of Iran and Jestina Mukoko of Zimbabwe received the prestigious award that recognizes the work of courageous women who actively advocate for social justice, equality and human rights around the world. Amnesty International congratulates them and all of the other awardees and welcomes the Secretary of State's leadership role and continuous support for women's rights.

Ms. Sonia Pierre is the founder of the Movement of Dominican-Haitian Women which seeks to increase benefits and protections of human rights for the people of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Ms. Pierre played a pivotal role in the struggle for equality for all and the prohibition of racial discrimination in access to nationality and citizenship by highlighting the rising racial tension against the Haitian migration workers and Dominican nationals of Haitian descent. Amnesty International highlighted threats made against Ms. Pierre apparently in response to her human rights activism and urged the Dominican government to protect the rights of human rights defenders like Ms. Pierre.

Ms. Shadi Sadr is a former Amnesty International prisoner of conscience and women's rights champion and leader of the Stop Stoning Forever campaign. In 2009, after Ms. Sadr was abducted in Iran, Amnesty International called for her immediate and unconditional release, and secured global support that ultimately led to her release one month later.

Ms. Jestina Mukoko is the Executive Director of the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP), an NGO that monitors human rights abuses throughout the country. In December 2008, she and her fellow human rights advocates were abducted from home by armed state security agents. Amnesty International called for the unconditional and immediate release of Ms. Mukoko.